Portland focuses on the right to water and election protection

The Portland (OR) chapter is planning three events that promote a better vision of the future in which control of our destiny is in the hands of the people, writes David Delk. On Friday, March 7, at 7 p.m., the chapter sponsors a screening of the documentary “Thirst,” a film that details the effects of water privatization in Bolivia, India and Stockton, CA, and the explosive community responses to the efforts to change water from a human right to a profit-making commodity.

On Tuesday, March 18, also at 7, the chapter shows the new film “Uncounted: The New Math of American Elections” that “recounts” how 2 million votes—including, possibly, your’s - went uncounted in 2006 by a combination of electronic voting machines, provisional ballots, under-voting, privatization of the election process and "Jim Crow" voter suppression. Can we have an honest and accurate election in 2008?

Finally, on Tuesday, April 15th, at 7 p.m., Maude Barlow, chairperson of the Council of Canadians and author of the new book, Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and Coming Battle for the Right to Water will speak about the world water crises and efforts by large multi-national corporations to change water from a human right to a commodity for private profit.

All events will be at the First Unitarian Church at SW 12th between Main and Salmon St. A donation is requested, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. You can get more info from David Delk at 503-232-5495, davidafd@msn.com.